Kawhi continues to be absent! The winning rate against the Magic is only 31%. The US media is not optimistic about the Clippers. Harden will lose 3 games in a row.

This year's offseason, the Clippers were dubbed the "aircraft carrier" by the media because of Pelinka's great signing. Traded Powell for Collins in an attempt to strengthen the inside depth at the fourth position; then, with the help of James Harden's connections, Bill was introduced to fill the gap in scoring firepower; and then he signed Luo Luo and Chris Paul. This veteran combination is regarded as the perfect substitute for Harden and Zubac. Paul's organizational wisdom and Luo's low-post threat seem to be tailor-made safety latches for the Clippers. With a space-based power forward like Collins at the fourth position, Bill seamlessly took over Powell's role. For a while, everyone outside was optimistic that this "armed to the teeth" Clippers could go straight to the Western Conference Finals and even the Finals.

But in reality, I always like to make the cruelest jokes. At the start of the season, the Clippers fell into an ice cave. Leonard only played 6 games before suffering an ankle injury - this was already the umpteenth injury alert in the "robot's" career. Bill was even worse, and was directly reimbursed for the season. Although Paul and Daluo played, their condition was no longer at its peak. Paul's advancement with the ball was slow, and Daluo's movement speed was appallingly low. Collins' adaptation period with the Clippers was extremely long, Zubac struggled to support the inside line alone, and Harden became the team's savior, but he also became the most tired one.

Today, the Clippers have a dismal record of 4 wins and 10 losses, ranking 11th at the bottom of the Western Conference. The average score barely exceeded 100 points, the defensive efficiency was in the middle and lower reaches of the league, and the rebounding and three-point shooting percentage were both outstanding. This "aircraft carrier" that was supposed to sweep across the west is now more like a leaky broken ship, teetering precariously in the stormy waves. Harden has played in 14 games this season, averaging 25 points, 5.8 rebounds and 8 assists per game, shooting 43% from the field, 37% from three-point range, and 94.2% from free throws. His efficiency rating ranks among the top ten in the league. But even so, he could not turn the tide. In the last game against the 76ers, Harden scored 28 points and 11 assists, but watched the team lose 110-108.

Every time Harden steps back for a three-pointer and every foul shot, he is like wiping the butt of his teammates, but the group of injured soldiers and ineffective role players behind him always fall behind at critical moments. And the latest official injury report from the Clippers is even worse: Leonard sprained his right ankle and will continue to miss the Magic game. This is his ninth absence this season. During the previous eight games, the Clippers had only 1 win and 7 losses, with a net rating of -15.2 points, and the defensive end was as fragile as paper. Without Leonard, the wing defense is gone, and the inside is bombarded by opponents in turn. No matter how good Harden's organization is, he can't withstand his teammates' open three-pointers to the point of vomiting blood.

The Clippers challenged the Magic away from home. To be honest, they had a narrow escape. ESPN predicted before the game that the Clippers' winning rate was only 31%, while the Magic's was as high as 69%. This means that the Clippers are likely to experience a three-game losing streak, or even slide into the abyss of a four-game losing streak. The curse of the Magic's home court, the Intuit Dome, and the Clippers' weakness on the road, no matter how magical Harden is, he can't beat the Magic. Imagine this: Harden advances with the ball, Paul and Luo support from the side, Collins opens up the space, but there are always one or two mistakes, allowing the Magic to counterattack like a tide. 3 consecutive losses? Almost a sure thing. Maybe Harden should consider changing teams.

This may sound harsh, but it is the most realistic advice. The 36-year-old Harden has already paid too much for the Clippers. He was transferred from the 76ers. He originally came to pursue his dream - to form the Big Three with Leonard and George and compete for the championship. But now, Leonard is suffering from injuries, George has left Philadelphia, Bill is reimbursed, and Harden is alone. The average playing time of 36 minutes per game is approaching the limit of his career, and his knees and ankles are quietly sending warnings. The fans saw it in their eyes and felt pain in their hearts: Harden owed nothing to the Clippers. From the Thunder to the Rockets to the Nets, 76ers, and Clippers, he sacrificed for trust everywhere he went, but he was always backstabbed by the team's shortsightedness or bad luck at critical moments.

No one would blame Harden if he left now. On the contrary, the entire league will rush to get this "god of organization." Harden still has two years left on his contract, his salary is not high, he is experienced, and he can keep the team's minimum limit - which championship team wouldn't be jealous of such a player? If the fight continues like this, Harden's body will be drained sooner or later. Think about it, if you get injured again at the age of 37, who will pay for it? The Clippers management was confident in building an "aircraft carrier" during the offseason, but they did not expect the invisible sickle of injuries. Now, it’s time for them to reflect: Is the introduction of Bill and Collins a reinforcement or a source of chaos? Signing Paul and Luo, is it experience or baggage?

The Clippers' tragedy was not Harden's fault. Leonard's glass attributes caused him to suffer early; Bill's season reimbursement was even more of a natural disaster. Harden is just the most eye-catching victim. With his 25+8 output, he proved that he has never aged. But a team cannot always rely on one veteran to support itself. Fans are flooding social media with the message: Brother Deng is here, Brother Deng is leaving, Brother Deng does not owe the Clippers. These voices are not complaints, but distress. Perhaps, after the Magic war, Harden will sit down and talk to his agent about the future. Perhaps Leonard will make a miraculous comeback and save this "broken ship" from the fire. But the reality is often cruel: the Clippers' "aircraft carrier dream" has been shattered into pieces of glass. Harden, don't wait any longer. It's time to wield your sickle on another battlefield.